Recent studies with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope have revealed important findings about K2-18 b, an exoplanet that is 8.6 times more massive than Earth. This study revealed Carbon-containing molecules such as methane and carbon dioxide., in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. These discoveries support the hypothesis that K2-18 b may be a Hayes exoplanet, a class of worlds that may have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and surface covered by a water ocean, located in the habitable zone of its red dwarf star and located 120 meters from Earth. light years away from us in the constellation Leo.
Speculation about habitability and life
The presence of organic molecules, as well as the potential discovery of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a compound on Earth produced only by life, has prompted speculation about the possibility of life on K2-18 b. Although the presence of DMS still requires further confirmation, the abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, as well as the lack of ammonia, suggest that beneath its hydrogen-rich atmosphere there could be an ocean of water. These results have fueled interest in K2-18 b as a possible candidate for the search for signs of extraterrestrial life.
However, it is important to proceed with caution since the discovery of dimethyl sulfide on Earth associated with biological activity, has not yet been fully confirmed. While these results are exciting, it is premature to directly link them to the presence of life, and more observations and studies are needed to determine the significance of these findings.
Experts emphasize that while K2-18b may have the conditions to support some form of life, this does not necessarily mean there is life there. Planet K2-18b could be habitable in the astrobiological sense, that is, it could meet the conditions for the process of chemical evolution and support a certain type of life. In addition to discovering a molecule whose origin is related to biological activity on Earth. In another world chemistry may work differently.
Characterizing the atmospheres of exoplanets such as K2-18 b is challenging due to the dominant brightness of their host stars. Scientists overcame this obstacle by analyzing the starlight that passes through the exoplanet’s atmosphere during its transit. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, they were able to obtain the most detailed spectrum to date subneptune in the habitable zone
, which allowed them to identify the components of the exoplanet’s atmosphere. The initial results, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, are promising, but more observations are still needed to confirm and fully understand the environment of K2-18 b.